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Alcoa Automotive announced today that is has successfully launched an entire new "family" of forged aluminum wheels for the 2005 Ford Super Duty truck line and also achieved a new "time-to-market" milestone when it successfully reduced the launch cycle on a new forged wheel for Chrysler Group from the standard 38 to five weeks.

"Our recently launched Ford family of eight Super Duty wheels includes a variety of styles and sizes," Tim Myers, head of Alcoa's Forged Specialty Wheels business explained. "This extended family of forged wheels offers them the ability to give their customers a wide variety of very attractive styling options. It also demonstrates that Alcoa can manage the launch of multiple new wheels effectively."

"This five-week launch for Chrysler Group demonstrates our understanding of customer needs and the ability to anticipate the tooling requirements associated with these needs and then to combine this understanding with the power of the of the Alcoa Business System to achieve a dramatic improvement in Forged Specialty Wheels time-to-market capability," according to Myers.

"While this was a unique situation," Myers continued, "we learned that we can go from order receipt to wheels on the showroom flow in just five weeks. We intend to apply this experience to other new opportunities to continue to reduce the launch cycle on all Alcoa forged and specialty wheels."

"We are at the beginning of a new era entailing multiple product launches each quarter for the foreseeable future," Myers stated. "Our proven ability to manage a wide portfolio of new product introductions in a compressed time period provides our customers and their dealers with more flexibility in differentiating their offerings than ever before. Mass customization is upon the automotive industry and Forged Specialty Wheels is well positioned to meet the challenge."

About Alcoa Automotive

Alcoa automotive products are designed to enhance driving experience by improving a vehicle's performance, comfort and convenience, safety and styling. Alcoa's automotive products also have helped customers create revolutionary advances that have successfully repositioned entire brands. Easier opening and closing, electronic distribution systems, improved functionality, better visibility, reduced squeaks and rattles and more interior room are benefits car makers gain from Alcoa's innovative automotive products. In addition, many of the safest autos in the world feature Alcoa products in their crash management systems and crumple zones, side-impact beams and engine cradles. Alcoa automotive products also offer customers the opportunity to differentiate their products with fresh design and eye-catching appeal.

About Alcoa

Alcoa is the world's leading producer of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina facilities, and is active in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to customers. Alcoa also markets consumer brands including Reynolds Wrap(R) foils and plastic wraps, Alcoa(R) wheels, and Baco(R) household wraps. Among its other businesses are vinyl siding, closures, fastening systems, precision castings, and electrical distribution systems for cars and trucks. The company has 120,000 employees in 42 countries and has been a member of the Dow Jones Industrial Average for 45 years and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes since 2001. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com